Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Lukas Lincoln is in love with his brother’s girlfriend, which seems like a big deal until the zombies—or ‘Furies’—arrive. Lyons leads the story to a satisfying conclusion while leaving open the possibility of a follow-up book.
Prose: Lyons’s writing is smart and engaging, making it easy for readers to connect with the story. Cleaning up instances of passive voice would hone it even more.
Originality: Teens fighting against overwhelming odds is nothing new, but this is a worthwhile read. Lyons layers in a love triangle, which adds interest.
Character/Execution: The characters are all distinct and well-rounded—quite a feat for a large cast of teens in a fast-paced story. Lyons also impressively manages to make key Furies recognizable—all without dialogue.
Date Submitted: April 12, 2024
Lyons (author of Darkness in Him) crafts a visceral argument for inviting summer camp kids onto your zombie apocalypse survival team in the tense, exciting kickoff to his Furies Rising series. Lukas Lincoln is rounding out the final days of his yearly month-long trip to Hollow Valley, the Texas camp he and his brother Caleb have attended for years. There, without distractions like internet connection and breaking news,the boys learn swimming, archery, shooting, first aid, and bushcraft. When disaster strikes the United States, the camp and its campers are caught unaware right up until horror breaches the gates, led by two grunting, twitching men in military fatigues attacking campers and staff. For Lukas, Caleb, and the other eldest campers, a hike soon turns into a fight for their lives and a mad dash to the dubious safety of a helicopter leading to the unknown. The campers must decide to stay united and work together to make it utilizing their own skills, intelligence, and care for one another. With this valiant, resourceful cast powering the story, Lyons playfully honors traditional zombie story tropes, including clues to the coming devastation, the eerie marionette motion of the monsters, and a commitment to never using the “Z” word. The relentless monsters themselves, known as the Furies, are deeply gruesome, and the violent action scenes, which earn a merit badge in inventive splatter, will stick with readers.
The characters will show young readers who they most want to be in a crisis, with the Lincolns showing quiet leadership, Aubrey demonstrating brutal pragmatism, and Jules and Martie displaying compassionate care. Their talk, disagreements, and team-building are relatable and endearing, though at times the numerous camper characters can be hard to differentiate. Complete with wilderness races, commando movement through a military hangar, and car chases to the next potential safe zone, Lyons’s fresh spin on zeds will leave readers breathless—and anxious for more.
Takeaway: Wild, suspenseful YA zombie apocalypse at resourceful kids’ summer camp.
Comparable Titles: Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin series, Mira Grant’s Newsflesh series.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
